India Drops in Henley Passport Index 2025

Why in the news?

India’s passport ranking has fallen from 80th to 85th place in the Henley Passport Index 2025, reflecting limited visa-free travel options. It shares this rank with Equatorial Guinea and Niger, highlighting global mobility challenges.

India Drops in Henley Passport Index 2025

India’s Henley Passport Index Ranking:

  • India’s Ranking: India has dropped from 80th to 85th position in the Henley Passport Index 2025, now sharing the rank with Equatorial Guinea and Niger.
  • Visa-Free Access: Indian passport holders can travel to 57 destinations without requiring a visa.

Global Highlights:

  • Top Rank: Singapore holds the top position, offering visa-free access to 195 destinations.
  • European Nations: France, Germany, Italy, and Spain have dropped two positions, now sharing third place with Finland and South Korea (192 destinations).
  • Fourth and Fifth Places: Seven EU countries share fourth place with 191 destinations. Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland, the UK, and New Zealand round out the top five, offering access to 190 destinations each.
  • Trends: The index provides insight into global mobility trends, highlighting areas where India can improve its passport ranking. It also reflects changing geopolitical dynamics influencing global passport rankings.

About Henley Passport Index :

  • Launch & Evaluation: The Henley Passport Index, launched in 2006, ranks 199 passports and evaluates access to 227 travel destinations based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Henley & Partners.
  • Ranking Criteria: Passports are ranked by the number of visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations they allow, with higher scores indicating greater global mobility.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times